Holiday Reading 2010

A selection of children's and young adults’ books Holiday Reading 2010 is only a small selection Keeping up-to-date in 2011 of the many new titles added to Christchurch City Libraries during the year. We hope you will Want to keep up-to-date with new titles added find something here to excite, enthuse, enthral to the Christchurch City Libraries collections and inform you. Any title may be reserved each month? You can subscribe to a wide online or at one of our libraries. variety of e-newsletters at : http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/ You can access the online catalogue Newsletters/ from the Library’s website at http:// christchurchcitylibraries.com/Catalogue/

Previous Holiday Reading lists can be found at: http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/ HolidayReading/ Picture Books Rain train – Elena De Roo Join the children for a journey on the Rain Mirror – Jeannie Baker Train. Listen to the noises the train makes as Page by page, we experience a day in the lives it moves through the countryside and into the of two boys and their families – one from inner dark night. The story is told through rhythmic city Sydney, Australia and the other from a text, which reinforces the sounds of the train, small, remote village in Morocco, North Africa. giving the story a momentum of its own. Cave Baby – Julia Donaldson LMNO peas – Keith Baker A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby Busy little peas introduce their favourite on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape occupations, from astronaut to zoologist. populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even, just maybe, Legend of the golden snail – Graeme Base by a big brown bear ...But where are they The Golden Snail has been banished to the going? ends of the earth and Wilbur sets out on a mission to free it. Along the way he makes Lots of spots – Lois Ehlert friends who save him from rough seas and Introduces the different types of camouflage mazes of madness, returning him safely home. animals use to help blend in with their surroundings, including spots on flounder, Angelica Sprocket’s pockets – colourful spots on poisonous frogs, and large Angelica Sprocket lives next door. Her spots on butterflies. overcoat has pockets galore! And you’ll never guess what’s in them...Prepare to be Baby Wombat’s week – Jackie French surprised, thrilled and tickled pink by Angelica The star of the bestseller Diary of a Wombat Sprocket’s never-ending pockets, and the is back - with a new mouth to feed! Cuter, marvellous things she keeps in them! stroppier and even more determined than her mother - meet Mothball’s baby. Very itchy bear – Nick Bland There is just one creature bothering him: a Queen Victoria’s underpants – Jackie French persistent flea. Bear tries to get away, but Flea Meet Lizzy, whose family are in the clothing just won’t leave him alone. When Bear finally industry. Very few people probably know gets rid of Flea, he finds that he misses him - that Queen Victoria made the wearing of and a new friendship is born. underpants popular. At the beginning of her reign very few women wore them. But Me and you – Queen Victoria made tartans, perambulators An urban retelling of the classic Goldilocks and and chloroform fashionable. By the time she the three bears story, told from the baby bear’s died just about every woman in Britain wore perspective. underpants like hers.

Wake up – Katie Cleminson April Underhill, tooth fairy – Bob Graham It’s time to dress and time for school ; time to High in the sky above Parkville, tooth fairies play and time for dinner - there’s just so much April and Esme Underhill are on their way to do! But before you know it, it’s time for bed to collect their very first tooth. Mum and and for stories and cuddles. Dad always do it. But tonight it’s their turn. So, equipped with a bag, a coin and a mobile phone, the sisters head for Daniel Dangerfield’s house, and a very unusual first tooth visit. Blue chameleon – Emily Gravett Red Ted and the lost things – Michael Rosen He can turn himself into anything and appear With bravery, teamwork and lots of common to fit in anywhere, but it seems that neither sense, a forgotten bear finds his way home the swirly snail, the green grasshopper nor the in this warm, wise, and very funny graphic stripy sock want to be friends. Will he ever find picture book. someone to talk to? Someone just like him? It’s a book – Lane Smith Moon bear – Brenda Guiberson ‘It’s a Book’ is a delightful manifesto on behalf Follow one moon bear in the wild as she eats, of print in the digital age. plays, hibernates, and wakes up again in the spring. Illustrated by Ed Young. Green – Mark Sperring Clive likes green. Green is what Clive likes. Boy and the toy – Sonya Hartnett ‘Clive, you’re a cabbage’, his sister laughs. One day a man invented the best toy in the ‘You’re a sprout, you’re a bean, you’re a little world. He gave the toy to his son. The boy green pea’. But Clive of course was none of thought the toy was marvellous. It could do these. anything! But as time passed, the boy started to wonder about the toy. Was it really the best Surprising Silhouettes – Connie Tamaddon toy in the world? Using her imagination and the properties of light and shadow, photographer Connie Not me! – Nicola Killen Tamaddon creates a playful and unique A group of very young children have been experience for readers young and old while making a mess. But when they are asked who illustrating that not everything is as it first did it they all reply innocently, ‘Not me! seems.

Hugless Douglas – David Melling I am a seal (NZ) – Barbara Todd Douglas is a big brown, huggable, lovable bear, Simple rhyming text, colour photographs and and he wakes up one morning in need of a hug. cartoons present the life of seals. He goes to try and find one – but none of them seem quite right. Join Douglas on his search for Art & Max – David Wiesner the perfect bear hug! Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished Rufus the numbat – David Miller painter; Max is a beginner. Max’s first attempt Rufus the Numbat walks out of the bush at the at using a paintbrush sends the two friends front of the book back into the bush at the end on a whirlwind trip through various artistic of the book. Rufus does not care for things of media, which turn out to have unexpected the town like cappuccinos or cream cake, or for pitfalls. the town and its parade and noise. But on his way Rufus startles a cyclist and later a Chinese Brian Wildsmith’s animal gallery Dragon creating all sorts of mayhem. – Brian Wildsmith Through evocative paintings, children are It’s a dog’s life – Michael Morpurgo brought face to face with wildlife from around An energetic romp through a dog’s busy day on the world. a farm. Russ, the sheepdog, herds sheep and cows and plots against Tigger, the farm cat. King of tiny things – Jeanne Wills When two little girls visit their grandparents, Apple ABC – Alison Murray it seems like a brilliant idea to camp outside A simple story of a small dog with a huge for the night. But then the dark comes and it personality pinning for a piece of apple cake. doesn’t seem such a good idea after all! Until The start of each new line makes up the a most unexpected visitor arrives - the King of alphabet. Tiny Things. Nanny Goat’s kid – Jeanne Willis There was once a Nanny Goat who wanted kids more than anything in the world, but she couldn’t have any of her own. Adopting seems like the perfect solution, but the kid she adopts is different to the others – in fact, he’s a tiger cub!

Dog loves books – Louise Yates Dog loves books! Dog loves books about dinosaurs and Dog loves books about aliens: in fact Dog loves all books! Dog has his very own bookshop, although he doesn’t have many customers. But that’s all right, because when Dog is surrounded by books, he is never short of friends or fun.

Creature ABC – Andrew Zuckerman Alphabet book featuring two wildlife photographic portraits for each creature, offering an up-close view of the animal kingdom. Younger Fiction Toppling – Sally Murphy A moving and triumphant illustrated verse The boy who climbed into the moon novel about childhood illness and support for – David Almond friends. A magnificent tale of crackpot notions and sky-high courage, with illustrations by Polly I am going!: an Elephant and Piggie book Dunbar. Paul believes that the moon is not the (Into Reading) – Mo Willems moon, but is a great hole in the sky. Helped Piggie ruins a perfectly good day by telling by a very long ladder, some highly irregular Gerald he is going. But if Piggie goes, who characters, two rather worried parents and a will Gerald play ping-pong and wear silly hats great deal of community spirit, Paul takes to with? the sky.

Fly guy meets fly girl (Into Reading) – Tedd Arnold Fly Guy has met his match, and her name is Fly Girl. Fly Guy is totally impressed, and totally smitten. Will Fly Guy and Fly Girl get married and leave Buzz without his dear pet?

Friday surprise – Anne Fine Bryce is fed up with tests. So far this week he’s had a spelling test, a swimming test, and even a test on his bike. So, on Friday, Bryce decides to surprise the adults with his own test.

Sheep with boots – Maritgen Matter Translated by Bill Nagelkerke. On a cold, dark winter’s evening Sheep thinks he has found a friend in Wolf. But can a wolf be anything other than a wolf? Can Sheep escape Wolf’s hungry plan?

Boy Zero: petrifying plot of the plummeting pants (NZ) – Peter Millet Charlie Applejack’s career as a superhero might be over before it’s even begun. However, when the evil villain and wannabe rock star General Pandemonium captures all of the world’s superheroes, and threatens to vaporise every pair of pants on the planet, it’s up to Charlie to save the day. Will he be a superhero - or will he be a superzero?

Ice bear – Jackie Morris Set in the pristine polar regions of the Arctic, Jackie Morris’s beautiful story reminds us that we are caretakers of these wild creatures and our actions directly affect their future. Older Fiction Rainbow orchid, Vol. 1 – Garen Ewing In Volume One, follow the story’s hero, Julius My name is Mina – David Almond Chancer, as he embarks on a hazardous quest David Almond revisits Mina before she has met for the rainbow orchid - a mythical flower last Michael, before she has met , in what is mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher, a thought-provoking and extraordinary prequel Theophrastus, and steeped in legend. His epic to his best-selling debut novel, Skellig. journey takes him from 1920s Britain to the Indian subcontinent and its mysterious lost Noah Barleywater Runs Away – John Boyne valleys. Noah is running away from his problems, or at least that’s what he thinks, the day he takes Oracle – Jackie French the untrodden path through the forest. When Nikko lives in a small farming village in Greece he comes across a very unusual toyshop and near the stronghold of Mycenae in 1200 BC. meets the even more unusual toymaker he’s When his sister Thetis is born, Nikko rescues not sure what to expect. But the toymaker has her from the hillside where she has been a story to tell, a story full of adventure, and abandoned, setting off an unforeseen chain of wonder and broken promises. events.

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis complex Now – Morris Gleitzman – Eoin Colfer Once upon a time there was a boy in a story Artemis is behaving strangely - he seems called Felix. The book was called Once. Then different. Something terrible has happened there was another book about him called Then. to him…Artemis Fowl has become nice. The Now, Morris Gleitzman brings his holocaust fairies diagnose Atlantis Complex. Can Holly trilogy series to an end in an uplifting story get the real Artemis back before robot probes called Now. destroy every human and life form? Very bad book – Andy Griffiths Unfinished angel – Sharon Creech If you thought ‘The Bad Book’ was bad, In the ancient stone tower of the Casa Rosa, in prepare yourself for something so bad - it’s a tiny village high in the Swiss Alps, life for one VERY BAD! angel has been the same, well, for as long as she (or he?) can remember. Until Zola arrives, Crocodile Nest (NZ) – a determined American girl who wears three Luke Evans never knew his father, so when skirts all at once. his internet skills track down someone who could be his dad, living at a luxurious resort in Alchemy and Meggy Swann Queensland, Australia, his imagination runs – Karen Cushman wild. But Luke is shocked when they finally In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute meet, and has some hard lessons to learn as Meggy Swann goes to London, where she he realises that nobody is perfect and nothing meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, can be accepted at face value. How Luke deals and eventually discovers that although her with what he finds will change his life, if he legs are bent and weak, she has many other can survive. strengths.

Candle man – Glenn Dakin Theo Wickland lives a life of isolation - he has only ever known three people: his butler, the maid and his guardian. Two societies are hunting for him: one that will protect and help him and one that wants to harness his power for evil. Ogre of Oglefort – Eva Ibbotson Elephant in the garden – Michael Morpurgo When a Hag, an orphan boy and a troll called It’s 1944. Elizabeth’s father is fighting with the Ulf get sent to rescue a princess from an ogre, German army on the eastern front. Her mother they expect it to be a fairly standard magical works at Dresden zoo, where her favourite mission. But the ogre is depressed, the princess animal is a young elephant named Marlene. doesn’t want to be rescued - and the ogre’s When the zoo director tells her the dangerous dead wife is turning in her grave. The Norns animals must be shot to prevent them running who rule their fates decide to take things in amok if the town is bombed, Elizabeth’s hand - will the Ogre meet a bloody end, or will mother moves Marlene into the back garden to he get a happy ending? save her… and then the bombs start to fall.

Sable Quean – Brian Jacques Great space race – Joshua Mowll The courageous Redwall creatures band A crazy world domination conspiracy is together as Vilaya, the evil Sable Quean, and uncovered and foiled by the most unlikely her horde of vermin attempt to make off with family on Earth in this highly entertaining and the young animals of the Abbey. madcap adventure.

Enchanted glass – Diana Wynne Jones Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound (NZ) Aidan Cain has had the worst week of his life. – Sandy Nelson His gran died, he was sent to a foster home, Paddy, a young schoolboy, and now malicious beings are stalking him. becomes so obsessed with a book about the There is one person Gran told Aidan to go to if wrecks of warships sunk in World War Two he ever got into trouble—a powerful sorcerer battles at Guadalcanal that he’s lucky not to be who lives at Melstone House. killed in a traffic accident. His parents ban him from reading the book. But Paddy can still hear Viola Vincent reporting – Anna Kenna the voices of men who died during the Battle The accident that almost killed her mother of Savo Island, one of the battles depicted in seals Caitlin’s own destiny. Determined to find the book. He is horrified and fascinated, whose out why it happened and who’s to blame, she voices are they and why are they reaching out sets off on a journey that puts her on the wrong to him? side of her family and the law. Then she meets a kick-butt reporter and a ghost from the past Lawn boy returns – Gary Paulsen and the fun really begins. Having expanded his summer lawn mowing job into an ever-growing business Skulduggery pleasant: mortal coil conglomerate, a twelve-year-old boy gets – Derek Landy involved in high finance, thanks to his hippie The fifth instalment of the bestselling stockbroker, takes on sponsorship of a boxer, Skulduggery Pleasant series – guaranteed to and becomes a media sensation. contain at least 40% humour, 50% action, and 100% thrills. I shall wear midnight – Terry Pratchett As the witch of the Chalk, she performs the Organ music (NZ) – bits of witchcraft that aren’t sparkly, aren’t A tale of danger, ghosts and secret experiments fun, don’t involve any kind of wand, and that hidden deep in the forest. people seldom ever hear about: She does the unglamorous work of caring for the needy. But someone--or something--is igniting fear, inculcating dark thoughts and angry murmurs against witches. Aided by her tiny blue allies, the Wee Free Men, Tiffany must find the source of this unrest and defeat the evil at its root-- before it takes her life. Because if Tiffany falls, the whole Chalk falls with her. Red pyramid – Rick Riordan The first book in the new Kane Chronicles series. Sadie and Carter Kane battle Egyptian gods and monsters.

Conspiracy of kings – Megan Whalen Turner Kidnapped and sold into slavery, Sophos, an unwilling prince, tries to save his country from being destroyed by rebellion and exploited by the conniving Mede empire.

Little darlings – Jacqueline Wilson Sunset lives a life of luxury with her beautiful ex-model mum, her world-famous ex-rocker dad and two little celeb siblings. Destiny, on the other hand, is an only child living on a rundown estate with a sickly but devoted mum who constantly tells her that she’s really the daughter of a famous former rock star. When the two girls meet in unlikely circumstances, they are surprised to find in each other something they’ve been missing all their lives. Young Adults Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has Wintergirls – Laurie Halse Anderson survived the Hunger Games twice. But now Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with that she’s made it out of the bloody arena her best friend’s death from anorexia as she alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. struggles with the same disorder. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s End of the alphabet (NZ) – worse, President Snow has made it clear that Ruby Yarrow is 14 and she’s a good girl who no one else is safe either. helps out a lot around the house with cooking and looking after the little ones. Ruby’s best Gates – John Connolly friend Tia tells her to stop being a doormat Young Samuel Johnson and his dachshund which gets Ruby thinking. How do you stop Boswell are trying to show initiative by trick- being a doormat and start standing up for or-treating a full three days before Halloween. yourself? Things will never be the same again Which is how they come to witness strange for Ruby or her family. goings-on at 666 Crowley Avenue.

Fierce September (NZ) – Fleur Beale Juno and the Taris inhabitants must leave their Scorch Trials – James Dashner dying island to live on the Outside, a seemingly The Gladers are far from finished with running. hostile place of pandemics and conflict. Juno Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced enjoys the new freedoms and choices now with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, available to her in a future New Zealand. But the most burned-out section of the world, Taris doesn’t give up its hold so easily, and she and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And is shocked to find the island held more secrets WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables than any of them knew. and stack the odds against them.

White cat – Holly Black Annexed – Sharon Dogar When Cassel Sharpe discovers that his Everyone knows about Anne Frank, and her older brothers have used him to carry out life hidden in the secret annexe - or do they? their criminal schemes and then stolen his Peter van Pels and his family are locked away memories, he figures out a way to turn their in there with the Franks, and Peter sees it all evil machinations against them. differently. iBoy – Kevin Brooks Project (NZ) – Brian Falkner Before the attack, sixteen-year-old Tom Harvey It all started with a book. The most boring book was just an ordinary boy. But now fragments in the world! So boring that nobody would of a shattered iPhone are embedded in his ever read it. The perfect place to hide a terrible brain and it’s having an extraordinary effect secret. But now the book has emerged from its ...Because now Tom has powers. hiding place and the world may never be the same. Smiling Jack (NZ) – When Robert’s father and Uncle are killed in a The ultimate teen book guide – Leonie Flynn road accident, his comfortable world rapidly Covering everything from classics to newly begins to unravel. With so much to deal with, released titles, graphic novels to cult fiction. he barely thinks about the evil grin on the Each review is a personal recommendation playing card Jack, found at the site of the from top teen and adult authors, including accident. Until the second death, and the third, Anthony Horowitz, Meg Cabot, Philip Pullman when once again Jack’s leering malicious grin and Jonathan Coe and is accompanied by a is found nearby. suggestion of what to read next. Limping Man (NZ) – Monsters of men – Patrick Ness Third instalment of Maurice Gee’s Salt Trilogy. Three armies on New Prentisstown, When Hana’s mam chooses to swallow each one intent on destroying the others. Todd frogweed poison rather than die in the great and Viola are caught in the middle, with no witch-burning in People’s Square, Hana flees chance of escape. As the battles commence, the burrows before she too is taken. Deep how can they hope to stop the fighting? The in the forest she meets Ben, son of Lo, and heart-stopping conclusion to the Chaos the two journey back to the burrows to find Walking Trilogy. a way to destroy the Limping Man before his evil consumes the world. But first they must Emerald casket – Richard Newsome discover the secret of his strength. Gerald, Sam and Ruby fly to India in Gerald’s private jet for a holiday at the home of Alisha Lies – Michael Grant Gupta, looking forward to getting away from As conditions worsen in the FAYZ, where the exhausting business of stolen gems, supernatural forces have trapped children bejewelled caskets, thieves and bumbling under the age of fifteen and resources are police officers. But their holiday soon turns to running out, it becomes tempting to heed the a desperate quest to outwit a deadly cult, and words of a prophet who says that only death to beat Mason Green to the Emerald Casket in a will set them free. fast-paced race against time and tide.

This is shyness – Leanne Hall Cardturner – Louis Sachar In the suburb of Shyness, where the sun When Alton’s ageing, blind uncle asks him to doesn’t rise and the border crackles with a attend bridge games with him, he agrees. After strange energy, Wolfboy meets a stranger at all, it’s better than a crappy summer job in the the Diabetic Hotel. She tells him her name is local shopping mall, and Alton’s mother thinks Wildgirl, and she dares him to be her guide it might secure their way to a good inheritance through the endless night. sometime in the future. As his relationship with his uncle develops, and he meets the Dead – Charlie Higson very attractive Toni, deeply buried secrets are The second heart-stopping, mind-blowing uncovered and a romance that spans decades book in this killer series - the Enemy is back. is finally brought to a conclusion.

Freaks and revelations – Davida Hurwin Rikers High – Paul Volponi Tells, in two voices, of events leading up to Arrested on a minor offence, a New York City a 1980 incident in which fourteen-year-old teenager attends high school in the jail facility Jason, a gay youth surviving on the streets as on Rikers Island, as he waits for his case to go a prostitute, and seventeen-year-old Doug, a to court. hate-filled punk rocker, have a fateful meeting in a Los Angeles alley. Prince of Mist – Carlos Ruiz Zafon Max Carver’s father - a watchmaker and Trash – Andy Mulligan inventor - decides to move his family to a small Fourteen-year-olds Raphael and Gardo team town on the coast, to an old house that once up with a younger boy, Rat, to figure out the belonged to a prestigious surgeon, Dr Richard mysteries surrounding a bag Raphael finds Fleischmann. But the house holds many during their daily life of sorting through trash secrets and stories of its own. in a third-world country’s dump. Information Books, poetry and The reflections of a solitary hamster – fairytales Desbordes, Astrid Hamster can be selfish and narcissistic but his forest animal friends still love him, warts and All the wild wonders of our earth all. In graphic novel format. – Wendy Cooling (Ed) For this celebration of our Earth, distinguished New and collected poems for children anthologist Wendy Cooling has chosen poems – Carol Ann Duffy from around the world to make children look, This stellar edition of her poems brings think, and ask questions. Why are trees so together work from Carole Duffy’s four award- important? How are motorways damaging our winning collections for children, and sprinkles countryside? What can we do about rubbish? in a generous helping of new poems to match. What can we do to protect our Earth for the future? Includes Elizabeth Honey, John Agard 1001 children’s books you must read before and Tony Bradman. you grow up – Julie Eccleshare Provides an authoritative listing of classic Jim: who ran away from his nurse and was and contemporary children’s literature that is eaten by a lion – Hilaire Belloc categorized by age group and pairs each entry Award-winning illustrator Mini Grey turns with expert evaluations and reproductions of her inimitable hand to Hilaire Belloc’s classic artwork from the featured titles. cautionary tale of Jim: who ran away from his Nurse and was eaten by a Lion! First published Poetrees – Douglas Florian in 1907, Belloc’s wickedly funny poem This book is ripe with poetrees, describes the sad end of Jim. They’re grown to educate and please. You’ll see a cedar. Oak tree too. The life cycle of the pūkeko Birch and banyan, The life cycle of the royal albatross (NZ) Pine and yew. – Betty Brownlie Palm and gum And willow tree, A drove of bullocks : compilation of animal Plus more you’ll love tree-mendously! group names. A filth of starlings : a compilation of bird and The ultimate book guide – Leonie Flynn aquatic animal group names. From classics to newly released titles. The Very clever bright graphics illustrating unusual funny, friendly and frank recommendations collective nouns. have been personally written for children by many of their favourite and best-known The Kiwi fossil hunter’s handbook (NZ) authors including Margaret Mahy, Jacqueline – J. S. Crampton Wilson, David Almond, Celia Rees, Darren Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, and love Shan and Dick King-Smith. the idea of the fossils they have left behind. New Zealand has a rich fossil record which Sparky: the life and art of Charles Schulz is accessible to the amateur fossil-hunter in – Beverly Gherman locations around New Zealand, including Colourful, fascinating and easily accessible shells and plant remains as well as the bones, to children. Packed with the art and cartoons teeth and other remnants of ancient reptiles, of the beloved creator of Snoopy and Charlie birds and fish. Brown. Nubs: the true story of a mutt, a Marine & a miracle – Brian Dennis The story of a wild dog who befriended Marine Major Brian Dennis in Iraq, and, when they were separated, trekked seventy miles through the desert winter to rejoin his friend. World of colors : seeing colors in a new way Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina – Sylvia Long – Marie Houlbon A girl no bigger than a thumb is stolen by a Translated from French. Explores the toad and subsequently has many adventures relationships between real-world objects and makes many animal friends, before finding and their colours, illustrating that each the perfect mate in a warm and beautiful colour comes in many different shades and southern land that familiar objects sometimes come in unexpected colours, such as green bananas. An ABC of what art can be – Meher McArthur This delightful book is a colourful reminder of Naughty kids book of nature (NZ) – Des Hunt the many things that visual art can be, become, This is a book about nature for naughty and do. Whether it’s weaving or making kids. Nice kids learn about the life-cycle of pottery or working on your computer or the monarch butterfly and tadpoles turning turning junk into something unexpected and into frogs. Naughty kids want to know about wonderful, ‘An ABC of What Art Can Be’ is an squashed hedgehogs and dead pukeko. Nice invitation to look around and think creatively- kids like to look at books with pretty pictures outside the boring box. of puppy dogs and kittens. Naughty kids would rather see blood and guts and maggots. How many donkeys?: an Arabic counting tale – Margaret Read MacDonald Never smile at a monkey: and 17 other When Jouha counts the ten donkeys carrying important things to remember his dates to market, he repeatedly forgets to – Steve Jenkins count the one he is riding on, causing him Discover how dangerous an animal can be great consternation. Includes numbers written when it feels threatened or trapped. out in Arabic and in English transliteration,.

How to clean a hippopotamus : a look at Too many fairies: a Celtic Tale unusual animal partnerships – Margaret Read MacDonald – Steve Jenkins & Robin Page An old woman complains about all the Learn about the ingenious lifestyles of some housework she has to do, but when some of the world’s most unusual animal partners. fairies come to help her she finds that they are It includes the tuatara relationship with the more trouble than they are worth. petrel. Counting birds – Alice Melvin Ahurewa Kahuhura (NZ) Quite an old fashion feel to the illustrations. About twenty simple titles of common Includes real and imaginary birds. everyday things such as ‘In the Kitchen’ ‘Counting birds’ and ‘Learning colours” that Sensational survivors: an illustrated guide to have been translated into Māori, Samoan and New Zealand’s remarkable wildlife (NZ) Tongan. A very welcome addition – Sandra Morris An ancient land isolated by vast oceans, New The boy who invented TV: the story of Philo Zealand is home to many fascinating creatures. Farnsworth – Kathlee Krull From a prehistoric reptile to one of the world This picture-book biography explains how largest insects. Farnsworth held on to his dream to develop television and the scientific concepts behind it. Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the trees of Kenya – Donna Jo Napoli Everyday words in Māori (NZ) – Jo Litchfield The story of Wangari Maathai, who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization, and in 2004 was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The NZ kids’ garden: a kids’ guide to growing fruit and vegetables in New Zealand (NZ) Check out our Christchurch Kids Blog – Diana Noonan You can: Provides advice on starting a garden and on • Read book reviews and write your own. plants suitable for young readers to cultivate. • Watch movie and book trailers. Includes sections on designing a garden, • Tell us what you think by commenting, what tools are needed, how to protect plants writing posts and voting in polls. from pests and diseases, as well as planting • Interact with other children.Interact with schedules and a calendar. authors through our Star Author promotion – we have a Star Author each month who Michael Rosen’s big book of bad things blogs about their books, writing and other – Michael Rosen things that interest them. The arrival of a new poetry collection from one of Britain’s greatest children’s poets Michael www.christchurchkids.wordpress.com Rosen is always cause for great excitement - and this collection promises to be one of the best.

Truckery rhymes – Jon Scieszka For generations, Trucks have been sharing these beloved tales, rowdy rhymes, and honk- along songs. Finally these classics have been gathered into one big, noisy, high-octane collection!

What goes on in my head? – Robert Winston Professor Robert Winston introduces you to the most powerful, complicated computer network that exists - the brain. This book is packed with amazing illustrations and fascinating facts like why bird song is similar to human speech and what makes animals yawn, as well as fun brainteasers to test your child’s memory, perception, reasoning and reactions.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia – Jeanette Winter Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution--a travelling library! He buys two donkeys--Alfa and Beto- -and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.